Taxane analogs for the treatment of brain cancer

Abstract

Provided herein are compounds and methods for the treatment of brain cancer in a mammal, wherein the method comprises the administration to the mammal a compound that stabilizes tubulin dimers or microtubles at G2-M interface during mitosis but is not a substrate for MDR protein. In particular, the present application relates to the use of an orally effective abeo-taxane, alone or in combination with temozolomide or bevacizumab, for the treatment of brain cancer.

Description

[0001]There is disclosed the treatment of brain cancer employing a taxane derivative, pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in that treatment and a new compound of use in that treatment and to the method of its preparation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]Tubulin is the protein that polymerizes into long chains or filaments that form microtubules, hollow fibers that serve as a skeletal system for living cells.[0003]Microtubules have the ability to shift through various formations which is what enables a cell to undergo mitosis or to regulate intracellular transport. The formation-shifting of microtubules is made possible by the flexibility of tubulin which is why scientists have sought to understand the protein's atomic structure since its discovery in the 1950s. Certain anticancer drugs bind to tubulin and cause the protein to lose its flexibility, preventing the cell from dividing.[0004]Regulatory approved tubulin binding agents include the taxanes (including paclitaxel an...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Certain anticancer drugs bind to tubulin and cause the protein to lose its flexibility, preventing the cell from dividing.

Paclitaxel and docetaxel have been shown to have widespread clinical utility in treating tumors; however the clinical decrease in effect over time has limited the usefulness of the drug class.

This is also the case with many other anti-cancer medicaments so that brain tumors have proved particularly refractory to chemotherapy.

Accordingly, it is well known that brain cancers are particularly difficult to treat.

Most cases where treatment of GBM is by surgery and local irradiation result in relapse within 2 to 4 cm of the original tumor margins.

Therefore, the IVC and IC administration methods reach less than 1% of the brain volume, and there are few diseases of the brain that can be treated by such limited penetration.

However, because there is no drug-targeting system that will allow drugs to cross the BBB, the transvascular route of administration is unavailable to the vast majority of drug candidates.

The intracranial space and physical layout of the brain create significant obstacles to treatment and recovery.

Because of the relatively small volume of the skull cavity, minor changes in the volume of tissue in the brain can dramatically increase intracranial pressure, causing damage to the entire organ.

Thus, even small tumors can have a profound and adverse affect on the brain's function.

The cramped physical location of the cranium also makes surgery and treatment of the brain a difficult and delicate procedure.

However, because of the dangers of increased intracranial pressure from the tumor, surgery is often the first strategy of attack in treating brain tumors.

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